News Release

March 07, 2014Southwestern Armenia Fellowship Reception Planned

In 2012, Southwestern partnered with the Republic of Armenia's Ministry of Justice to create an opportunity for an American-trained lawyer to work with the Ministry to cultivate Armenia's legal system. The inaugural Southwestern Armenia Fellow, Garen Nazarian, began his term in Fall of 2012.

At a special reception on Tuesday, March 18, members of the Southwestern community and supporters of this unprecedented and unique endeavor will gather to celebrate the partnership and hear about recent developments under the fellowship. The event will take place at the Law Offices of Gerard Kassabian in Beverly Hills and will feature an update from Mr. Nazarian from Armenia via Skype.

Now in his second year as the Southwestern Armenia Fellow, Mr. Nazarian continues to use his expertise in criminal law to advise the Ministry of Justice, work with various groups to educate and implement concrete changes in Armenia's legal system and help train the next generation of legal professionals. A few examples of Mr. Nazarian's recent accomplishments and efforts include:

Advising in several instrumental areas, including: key components of the Criminal Procedure Code; selection of judges to reduce potential bias or appearance of partiality and increase objectivity and transparency in the selection process; and reforms in legal education mandated by the 2012-16 Strategic Program for Legal and Judicial Reforms in the Republic of Armenia, including introduction of clinical education.

Teaching Trial Advocacy at various locales, including Armenia's School of Advocates, the French University and the American Bar Association office.

Setting up a book reading project in the prisons.

The reception will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 9465 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 460 in Beverly Hills. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by March 11 to alumni@swlaw.edu.